Enhancements to Site Make it Even Easier for Oklahomans to Quickly Search and Find State Financial Information

The state of Oklahoma recently launched an enhanced version of OpenBooks, the state’s official transparency Web site. The new version of OpenBooks features more robust search capabilities so residents can easily locate the state financial information they need.

Several enhancements to the existing OpenBooks search utility were made to increase the state’s financial transparency. The new features include the ability for citizens to:

• Search education financial data by higher and non-higher education.

• View the current fiscal year and three prior fiscal years’ (2006 – 2009) data for all state agencies.

• View expenditure and funding information at a lower level of detail for all agencies.

• Search all vendors for the state of Oklahoma, rather than just by agency.

• Search vendors by name.

• View payments made to vendors where the total fiscal year expenditure processed through the Office of State Finance exceeds $5,000 (the previous limit was $25,000)

“Keeping Oklahoma’s transparency Web site updated to reflect changing data continues Oklahoma’s commitment to sharing information in the most efficient possible way”, said Michael Clingman, Director of the Oklahoma Office of State Finance.

Since launching in January 2008, there have been over 160,000 visits to the OpenBooks Web site.

Donations received will benefit American soldiers and adults and children with disabilities

Oklahoma residents and businesses are invited to celebrate Earth Day by eRecycling electronics* at the Oklahoma State Capitol south entrance on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 from 9am – 4pm. The upcoming event is sponsored by GoGreen.OK.gov and will benefit two charities: Cell Phones for Soldiers and AMBUCS Share4Life Komputers Project.

“By hosting this event, we aim to increase awareness about eRecycling and further efforts in reducing the amount of electronic material that ends up in landfills,” said Governor Brad Henry. “This is a great way to help the environment and promote a wonderful cause."

The first 250 donors will receive a tree seedling to plant and give back to our environment. Additionally all donors will receive a tax receipt. The following electronics are accepted for donation. *State property will not be accepted.

Donors can deliver their used electronic equipment* at the south entrance of the State Capitol. An area will be available to assist donors in unloading equipment.

Cell Phones for Soldiers collects cash donations and old cell phones. The cell phones are recycled for cash and the proceeds are used to buy prepaid calling cards for our soldiers serving in the Middle East. Their goal is to provide US soldiers with a way to call home for free. For more information, please visit http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

The AMBUCS Share4Life Komputers Project, based out of Norman, OK, refurbishes donated computers and gives them to children and adults with disabilities at no charge. For more information, please visit http://www.soonerambucs.org/

Oklahoma’s Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) recently launched a new Web site. At the new site, visitors can learn where the investments for the EDGE fund are directed, sign up for email announcements, find information regarding applications for EDGE funding, and view frequently asked questions about the purpose of the board.

“We take pride in making Oklahoma’s innovative research and technology initiatives accessible to the public,” said Paul G. Risser, Ph.D., EDGE Fund Executive Director. “We built our new Web site with the primary focus of allowing citizens easy access to this information.”

The EDGE Web site is a product of a partnership between the Oklahoma’s Economic Development Generating Excellence and OK.gov. EDGE launched the new Web site utilizing OK.gov’s Web Management Suite. The new Web site is designed to meet and exceed Oklahoma’s Web accessibility standards.

The tax season deadline is fast approaching and the Oklahoma Tax Commission and OK.gov want to remind Oklahomans that help is available online. Visit Oklahoma’s Official Web site, to gain access to valuable tax information and resources.

“Oklahomans have many options available to them on our Web site when it comes to filing their income tax returns,” said Paula Ross, Tax Commission spokesperson.

The Oklahoma Tax Commission Web site provides information, answers to frequently asked questions, and several options, including Free File for those who qualify, on e-filing of income tax returns.

“We encourage electronic filing. It enables faster refunds and more accurate returns,” continued Ross. ”With electronic filing, Oklahomans can receive their refund within seven to ten days, less with direct deposit, as opposed to paper filing which can take eight to ten weeks of processing time.”

The online resource site comprises a number of resources from the Oklahoma Tax Commission and Internal Revenue Service to assist Oklahomans with filing their 2008 Income Tax Return before the April 15 deadline. The site has direct links to Oklahoma’s free e-file options, downloadable forms, Oklahoma accountant directory, free income tax assistance information, and other valuable contact information and resources.

"SWOSU produces over 800 graduates each year with the vast majority of them staying in Oklahoma. Among these graduates are approximately 80 new pharmacists and 40 new nurses who help meet the high demand in those health fields."

OK.gov (http://www.ok.gov/) built and manages the official Web site for the state of Oklahoma and partners with state agencies to bring new government services online. OK.gov is managed by the Oklahoma Office of State Finance and eGovernment firm NIC Inc.